The first Islam and Peace walk-in session in Surrey, organised by the UK branch of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Association, received an encouraging response in Witley.

The event at the Chichester Hall on Sunday was one of the first of many that the association is hosting nationwide.

It attracted more than 50 visitors, including the Mayor of Waverley, Cllr David Inman, borough and parish councillors and a Surrey Police representative.

“The seminar was well attended,” co-organiser Zaheer Qamar said. “Guests were appreciative that the event had been organised and expressed a desire for it to be run it again locally.

“The aim of the sessions is to spread the true meaning of Islam as a religion of peace in response to the recent misrepresentation and negative image of Islam. A question and answer session was held and it included questions on topical issues, such as the role and equality of women in Islam, the concept of evolution in Islam. Jihad, the compatibility of Sharia Law with the law of the land, and the concept of the veil.”

Witley and Hambledon borough councillor Liz Cable welcomed the initiative: “I found it very interesting and I was glad to see so many people there. It was pleasant to meet people from the Ahmadiyya Muslim community from all different walks of life and talk with them about their religion.

“I greatly admire and respect people who are willing to give up their leisure time to try to address the bad press that other extreme Muslims have created by such actions as terrorist attacks.”